Caring Coop Neighbors

A program to help with the "rainy days" of life.

The Caring Co-op Neighbors Program (CCN) kicked off June 1, 1996. From then through today, the program has assisted 500 families across the 3 county area with more than $375,000 in CCN funds at times when they needed it most.

About Caring Coop Neighbors

Caring Co-op Neighbors is designed to assist NCMEC members who are victims of fire, natural disaster, medical emergency, accident, battering or meet other eligibilty guidelines. Members in need can receive up to $2,500.00 assistance annually from the program. Only NCMEC members who participate in the program are eligible to receive assistance from CCN- the money stays right here in the three-county area!

To tell if you participate, look at your electric bill. If it has a line that says "Caring Coop Neighbors" on it- then you participate. Participation is automatic unless you opt out of the program. Opting out eliminates you from receiving any assistance from the program.

How We Are Funded

Funds for the program are raised by the members of NCMEC who voluntarily "round up" their electric bill to the next higher dollar...and at your option, you may add additional donations each month, either on a one-time basis or automatically each month.

For example, if your electric bill is $64.39, you would be billed for $65.00; the "extra" 61 cents would go into the Caring Co-op Neighbors fund. Some members add $1, $5, $10 and even more each month to assist with the need.

If you wish to help the funding of this program even more you can call, write or email and tell us how much additonal you would like to add to your elecric bill.

The funds, and applications, are administered by a 6-member committee made up of members of the cooperative and local ministers -- 2 from each county served by NCMEC. These trustees serve a 2 year term, with one trustee from each county being appointed each year. The committee meets monthly to screen non-emergency applications and review emergency applications that were funded between meetings. Emergency screenings can be held via fax as needed.

The CCN Trustee Board is made up of a minister and a co-op member from each of the three counties. Currently the board members are as follows:

Linn County:

Rev. Sue Lambert

Ron Miller

Sullivan County:

Rev. Gene Lunsford

Doug Fairley

Putnam County:

Rev. Gene Weece

Ed Brockmeyer

How to Apply

Application to Caring Co-op Neighbors is made either directly through NCMEC or through the county offices of the Green Hills Community Action Agency or the Missouri Division of Family Services. To be eligible to apply for assistance, the following requirements must be met:

Be a member of North Central Missouri Electric Cooperative, participating in the CCN Program

Provide a copy of most recent electric bill

Meet one or more of the following eligibility requirements:

Low-income elderly, in need of life necessities, not eligible for other assistance or have depleted all other assistance available and still in need;

Low-income disabled or handicapped, in need of life necessities, not eligible for other assistance or have depleted all other assistance available and still in need;

Low-income family with children, in need of life necessities, not eligible for other assistance or have depleted all other assistance available and still in need;

Battered spouse and/or child(ren) in need of funds to assist with relocation or other life necessities, not eligible for other assistance or have depleted all other assistance and still in need (income level not a factor);

Victim of fire, natural disaster, medical emergency or other "disaster" situation, not eligible for other assistance or have depleted all other assistance available and still in need (income level not a factor);

Victim of accident or been diagnosed with severe illness that will cause loss of income for a long period of time, not eligible for other assistance or have depleted all other assistance available and still in need (income level not a factor);

Other emergency situations not itemized here, that meet the other eligibility requirements.

Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives is a national network of electric cooperatives across 46 states that provides resources and leverages partnerships to help member cooperatives and their employees better engage and serve their members. By working together, Touchstone Energy cooperatives stand as a source of power and information to their 32 million member-owners every day.